by SJ McCoy
Gina grinned. “Good. I hope you don’t think I’m being a busybody. I almost didn’t say anything, but a helping hand from someone who cares, can save a lot of misunderstandings.”
Corinne looked at her. “Did he ask you to talk to me?”
Gina shook her head rapidly. “God, no. I’m sure he’d be pissed at me, but it was worth risking it. Why do you ask?”
“The other day I apparently had a run in with Guy Preston. Not that I knew it at the time. He said some things that made me wonder about Beau.”
Gina blew out a big sigh. “That man is trouble.”
“That’s what Beau told me. He said if I didn’t believe that he was just trying to cause problems for us, I should ask you about him.”
“Yep. I can tell you just how much trouble that man can cause. And I’ll also tell you that if he’s got his sights set on you and Beau, you’re going to have to hang in tight. He’s the reason Mason and I didn’t speak for ten years. And even after we got back together he was still messing with my head. He tried to do the same with Shane and Cassidy, but they had enough sense to trust each other and keep talking.”
Corinne nodded. “That’s what Beau said. But why would this Guy do it?”
“It goes all the way back to grade school. It was kids’ stuff to start with, but it came back to the surface earlier this year.”
“Why?”
“Because Mason and Chance helped Guy’s wife, April, to leave town.”
“Wow!”
“Yeah. He is not a nice man. And she had the bruises to prove it.”
“Oh, no!”
“Yeah. She’s safe now though.”
“Good.”
“It is, but you watch your back and if he says anything to you, don’t let him get inside your head. In fact, if he says anything that makes you wonder about Beau, you come to me, okay? Beau’s the one you need to talk to, but I know how hard it can be to trust after Guy gets to you.”
“Thanks, Gina.”
She nodded. “No worries at all. I want to see the two of you make it, and if I can help in any way, I will. And you can bet any of the others will, too.”
Corinne smiled. “I love the way their family works. They all want to see him happy.”
“And they know you’re the one who can make him happy.”
Corinne loved to think that Beau’s family thought she was good for him. She already knew that he was good for her and Ruby.
They walked in silence for a few minutes. “Oh, I also wanted to ask you about dinner this week. We’re having it at the cottage on Wednesday, if that works for you.”
“It does. I might need to bring Ruby.”
“You know she’s more than welcome.”
“Thanks.”
“Okay, well I should probably get going. I need to get to the gallery and meet with Cassidy.”
“Say hi to her for me.”
“Will do. I think she’s your biggest fan. She didn’t think much of Beau until he met you. You should have heard her on Saturday after you guys left. She was so impressed with the way he handled the dividing of the ranch.”
“I can’t take any credit for that. Beau’s making a lot of progress all by himself.”
Gina gave her a knowing smile. “He’s not by himself, though, is he? Not anymore.”
Corinne nodded. No matter what reservations she might have about taking things slowly, it seemed they really were in it together. Beau was stepping up and growing, Ruby was blossoming, and she herself was feeling more relaxed and settled than…well, than she ever had now she thought about it. That was quite a realization.
Gina raised an eyebrow. “Penny for them?”
“I’m just realizing how good we are together.”
“You are. I understand your wanting not to rush, but if I were you, I wouldn’t take it too slowly either. Take it from one who knows, when you know you’ve found the right man, all the time in the world won’t change it.” She looked at her watch. “And now I really need to get a move on. See you soon.”
“Yep, see you, and thanks for coming by.”
~ ~ ~
Beau decided he may as well walk to Second Street, it was such a beautiful day and it seemed he rarely got the chance to get outside. He smiled. They should change that this weekend and take Ruby out for a picnic or something. His smile faded when he turned onto Second and saw Guy’s truck parked up outside the house. He had to wonder if he was doing the right thing. After their run in the other day, he’d been surprised when Wanda had handed him the appointment slip. Guy still wanted to see the little house and Beau had to wonder why. He lived down the valley, his ranch was one of the largest in the county. He wished now that he’d gotten around to talking to Gina. She knew something was up.
There was no time now, though. He nodded when Guy climbed out of his truck and grinned at him. “Beau.”
“Guy.”
“I hope we can put recent events aside? I can’t say I’m impressed with your change of attitude toward Chance, but I do know you’re a man who will always put business ahead of other considerations.”
Beau nodded, even though he wasn’t sure he agreed with that assessment. He would have until not so long ago, but these day he knew he’d put Corinne and Ruby ahead of anything else. He made his way up the path to the front door. “Let’s get on with business then.” He opened the lockbox and let them in. “I’m sure you don’t need the realtor spiel, so I’ll let you look around.”
Guy smiled and wandered into the kitchen.
“How are your folks doing?” he called.
“Good, thank you.” Beau had to wonder where in the hell he was going with that.
“Are they all set to head for warmer climes this winter?”
“They are.”
“It’ll be strange for them not to live at the ranch when they come back, won’t it?”
“I guess.” He knew Guy was fishing, but he didn’t know what for. He didn’t intend to give anything away.
Guy wandered around the house and then came back to join him in the living room. “It’s great. I want it.”
“What for?” Beau let his curiosity get the better of him.
Guy shrugged. “I don’t know. I just figure it’d be good to have a little place in town.”
Beau shrugged. He didn’t need to know. “Okay. What kind of offer do you want to make?”
“Five grand more than any other.”
“What?” That was crazy. As far as he knew there hadn’t been any other offers on the place.
Guy gave him a condescending smile. “You just run along and write it up for me, okay?”
Beau shrugged. “Okay.”
When he got back to the office he decided to call Gina. Maybe she had some insight on what Guy was up to.
“Hey, Beau!” she answered.
“Hi, Gina. Can I ask you what you were worried about when you mentioned Guy Preston being interested in the place on Second Street?”
“Sure. It was ages ago that your mom had mentioned she wanted to look at it. You know, when they were thinking they were going to move up there. It struck me as odd that Guy then started showing an interest. I guess I’m just paranoid about him, but I thought maybe he’d got wind and was trying to make sure your folks couldn’t buy it. It was probably silly of me. And it doesn’t make any difference now, does it? Not since their wonderful son gave them a cottage right there on the ranch.”
He had to smile at that last part. His mind was working overtime though. “I guess Guy doesn’t know about the cottage.”
“Why’s that?”
“Well, why would he? Unless any of you have talked about it. And I just showed him the house on Second. I knew he had to be up to no good and the offer he wants me to write up doesn’t make any sense.”
“Why?”
“He’s wants to beat out any other offers, and he’s willing to pay over the odds to do it.”
Gina laughed. “Well, I hope you’re going to let him. It’d se
rve him right.”
Beau thought about it. It would. “I dunno, G. It’d hardly be ethical, would it?”
“No, you’re right. But it would be fun!”
He chuckled. “True. Anyway, I’ll let you go. Thanks for the info.”
“No worries. Oh, and I saw Corinne this morning.”
“You did?”
“Yeah. I like her Beau, she’s the best thing that’s ever happened to you.”
“Tell me something I don’t know.”
She laughed. “Okay, I will. You don’t yet know that there are going to be four Remington weddings this year, but I’d put money on it.”
He had to smile. “Damn, I hope you’re right.”
“Me too.”
He didn’t know what else to say. He felt as though he might have opened up too much. “Well, I’ll see ya.”
“Bye, Beau.”
He hung up and stared at the wall for a moment. He would love to think that he and Corinne might get married before the year was out, but he could hardly see it. She wanted to take things slowly and he understood that.
While he still had his phone in his hand, he decided to give her a call.
“Hey,” she sounded pleased to hear from him.
“Hey. I just wanted to check in with you. How’s your day going?”
“Okay. Busy. And I saw Gina this morning. Dinner is at their house this week.”
Beau smiled to himself. He loved the idea that they were now one of the couples. Gina hadn’t mentioned dinner to him, but she hadn’t needed to. She’d already spoken to Corinne. “Great.”
“I was wondering if you think we should offer to host next week?”
He grinned. “I’d love to. I’d thought about it, but I wasn’t sure.”
“Well, I like the idea if you do.”
“I love it. It gives me hope.”
“Hope?”
“That we’re getting closer. That you’re starting to trust that we’re for keeps.”
She was quiet for a moment. He had to hope he hadn’t pushed it.
“Are you still there?”
“Yeah. Sorry.”
“Did I screw up?”
“No. I did. I was just wondering how to tell you that I think we are getting closer.”
He smiled. “To each other, or to the point when you’ll say yes?”
She was quiet again, but this time he waited.
“Both.”
Wow! “You have no idea how happy that makes me, sweetheart.”
“Well, touché, because you have no idea how happy you make me.”
She was right, he didn’t! But hearing her say that gave him hope for the future—and hope that the future might come sooner than he’d thought. “I want to make you happy for the rest of your life, Corinne.”
She was quiet again before she said. “I know.”
That answer was the best gift she could have given him. She believed him!
“I need to get back to work. I’ll see you tonight.”
“Okay. See you later.”
“I do love you, Beau.”
“And I love you. More than you know.”
~ ~ ~
That evening they decided to grill out on the deck. It was a lovely evening and Corinne loved being outside here. It was so beautiful. The horses grazed in the pasture nearby. The mountains loomed above them, finally green, though some still had white peaks. Corinne smiled at Beau as he cut Ruby’s steak into little pieces for her. He almost caught her finger with the knife as she swiped a piece before he was finished.
“Ruby!” she admonished.
“Sorry.” Her bottom lip slid out and she looked close to tears.
Corinne felt bad. Ruby had been cranky since she’d come home. She was tired.
“I just don’t want you to get hurt, sweetie.”
Ruby nodded, then she smiled up at Beau. “My Beau would never hurt me.”
Corinne had to swallow the lump in her throat as she nodded. She knew it was true now. She hadn’t forgotten what he’d said about building a house down here so he could still see Ruby even if they weren’t together. At one point she might have thought they were just words. But she knew that Beau and Ruby had their own thing. He really loved her, there was no doubting it as she watched them together.
Beau smiled. “You know it, pumpkin, but it’s still not a good idea to stick your fingers near a sharp knife.”
Ruby leaned against him and smiled up at him. “I love you.”
Corinne’s heart overflowed as she watched him wrap his arm around her daughter. “And I love you. More than you know.”
“This much?” Ruby held her hands up about six inches apart.
Beau shook his head. “More.”
“This much?” She held them a little wider.
“Nope. Much more than that.”
“How much?”
“Come here.”
She leaned in closer and he held his arms out wide as he said, “As much as the whole wide world.” And then he closed them around her and hugged her tight. “And back again.”
She giggled. “When are you going to marry my mommy?”
Beau looked up and met Corinne’s gaze. She didn’t know what to say. She hadn’t expected to be put on the spot like that.
“Someday.” Beau saved her from having to say anything.
“When you do, will you be my daddy?”
Corinne didn’t understand the look on his face. She waited to see what he’d say.
“I’m your Beau. Beaus are better than daddies.”
Ruby nodded and snuggled against him. “You’re the best Beau in the world.”
He chuckled. “Thank you.”
“I hope you marry my mommy soon.”
“Why?”
“Because I want you to. I don’t want to wait.”
Beau met Corinne’s gaze. “Neither do I.”
Corinne smiled back at him; she was starting to wonder why she had wanted to wait. She wasn’t sure she did any more.
She turned to Ruby who was giving her a meaningful look as she said, “Sometimes people say they’re going to do something then they don’t.”
“Not when it’s something important,” said Corinne.
Ruby didn’t look convinced. “Will you get married soon then, please?”
Corinne smiled, first at Ruby then at Beau. “I hope so.”
~ ~ ~
When they went to bed, Beau drew her to him and nuzzled his face into her neck. “Did you mean what you said earlier?”
“Yes.”
He raised his head to look into her eyes. She hadn’t hesitated. Hadn’t asked him what he meant.
He smiled, but it was his turn to feel hesitant. He wanted to understand what had changed. What had taken her from wanting to take their time to saying she hoped they would get married soon?
He raised an eyebrow.
She smiled and shrugged. “You’re dispelling all my fears. All the time. Every day you do something else that proves it to me. You’re in this for the long haul. We work well together, and even when things come up, we talk through them. I guess the only thing that bothers me now is that we haven’t had a fight.”
“And that’s a bad thing?”
She smiled. “In a way it is. I mean, it’s good that we don’t, but we need to know that we can fight healthy.” She shrugged. “Some people fight mean.”
He nodded. He understood. “I don’t fight mean. I withdraw.”
“I thought as much, my concern is whether you come back.”
“I do. It takes me a while. Or at least it used to. I seem to have done a lot of changing lately.”
“All for the better from what I gather, too.”
“Oh, yeah? Have you heard that I was an asshole before you met me?”
She laughed. “Not exactly.”
He frowned. He wasn’t exactly surprised. He knew his own reputation, but he was curious as to what she’d heard.
She smiled. “Not an asshole, ju
st that you had your head up your ass.”
He nodded with a rueful smile.
“You don’t have anything to say to that?”
He shook his head. “I guess all I can say is thank you for helping me get it out of there!”
She laughed. “You’re welcome.”
Chapter Twenty-Two
Ruby came to him the next morning and hugged his legs when he was trying to get out the door. He was running late.
“I’ve got to go, Ruby.”
“I don’t want you to.”
“I have to. And you have to go to school.”
“I don’t want to. I want to stay here with you.”
“I wish we could, pumpkin, but we both have to go.”
Her eyebrows knit together. “But I don’t want to.”
He scooped her up and hugged her to his chest. “I know, but it won’t be long until tonight and then we can all snuggle on the sofa. How about that?”
She nodded sadly.
“What have you got going on today?” asked Corinne.
He laughed. “I have to engage in a battle of conscience.”
She raised an eyebrow.
“With myself. Guy Preston wants to make an offer on a house. It’s a stupid offer and I think it’s an attempt to screw me over. I’m tempted to let him, because I know he’d only be screwing himself.” He shook his head. “But I’m not sure I can bring myself to do it.”
Corinne frowned at him.
Shit! He shouldn’t be talking about screwing people over in front of Ruby. “Sorry.”
She shook her head. “No, I’m sorry. You do what you think best, but I should have warned you. I have very high ethical standards.”
Damn! So it wasn’t his language in front of Ruby that had bothered her.
“Okay. Good to know. I guess I’ll see you tonight, then.”
She nodded, but didn’t come to him for a kiss.
“I was only joking, you know. I couldn’t bring myself to do it, much as he has it coming.”
“I hope you were joking, but either way, I don’t find it funny.”
“Point taken.” He didn’t get why she needed to be like that about it. He put Ruby down and kissed the top of her head. “You have a good day. I’ll see you later.”